Marcy’s Musings: The Legislative Outlook—Helping or Hurting?
It’s Only Common Sense: The Phone Is Still Mightier Than the Keyboard
The Marketing Minute: Marketing With Layers
Expansion and Growth: You Can’t Do It Alone
July 10, 2024 | Prashant Patel, Alpha CircuitEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Building a new PCB facility takes strong partnerships with your suppliers. I quickly learned that we could not build our new facility alone. We would need to find and develop relationships with what would become trusted vendor partners.
We learned that it was vitally important to collaborate and partner with the equipment vendors as well as the automation companies to make sure we selected both the right equipment and the right vendor partner. We wanted to be sure we could count on them for a long and productive relationship. We needed these companies and people to be part of the journey with us. We wanted to ensure they would be there to train our team on how to best use their equipment and products. Most importantly, they would be there, “Johnny-on-the-spot,” to maintain and repair the equipment when it went down.
As we near completion of our new high-tech facility in Schaumburg, Illinois, I can’t stress enough the value of our vendor partners in that process. Equipment and products are only as good as the company that can maintain them. I expect the relationships we developed during the building and equipment process will serve us well moving forward.
Here are some things I learned to look for when selecting good supplier partners:
Technical expertise and innovation: Ensure the supplier has extensive technical knowledge and is at the forefront of innovation in PCB technology. They should be able to offer advanced solutions and stay updated with industry trends. They need to keep you informed of upcoming advances in their equipment and products to ensure you are always aware of the next best thing.
Quality and reliability: The equipment provided by the vendor should be of high quality and reliable. Check for certifications, quality control processes, and track records of uptime and performance. This is critical, especially with the reduction in the number of shops in the U.S. and the migration to Asia. I am fortunate enough to have my shop in the greater Chicago area, where there is still a significant enclave of PCB shops and vendors.
To continue reading this article, which originally appeared in the June 2024 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Advertising in PCB007 Magazine has been a great way to showcase our bare board testers to the right audience. The I-Connect007 team makes the process smooth and professional. We’re proud to be featured in such a trusted publication."
Klaus Koziol - atgSuggested Items
Ruben Zambrano Joins Technica USA as PCB Equipment Service Technician
10/20/2025 | Technica USATechnica USA is proud to announce that Ruben Zambrano has rejoined Team Technica as PCB Equipment Service Technician.
SASinno Americas Strengthens Field Service Capabilities with Addition of Oscar Ortiz González in Mexico
10/10/2025 | SASinno AmericasSASinno Americas is proud to announce the addition of Oscar Ortiz González as Senior Field Service Engineer, based in Mexico.
RECIF Technologies Adopts Agileo Automation’s Combined Speech Scenario and E84 PIO Box Solution
10/07/2025 | Agileo AutomationAgileo Automation, a leading provider of control and connectivity solutions for global semiconductor manufacturing equipment, announced at Booth #877 at SEMICON West 2025 that RECIF Technologies has adopted its combined Speech Scenario and E84 PIO Box solution to test its wafer handling and tracking equipment for E84 and SECS/GEM compliance.
Nordson Electronics Solutions Enables Seamless Integration of Actnano PFAS-Free Coatings With Asymtek Select Coat Conformal Coating Systems
09/23/2025 | Nordson Electronics SolutionsNordson Electronics Solutions, a global leader in reliable electronics manufacturing technologies, announces full compatibility of its industry-leading ASYMTEK conformal coating systems with actnano’s next-generation, PFAS-free materials.
Henger Showcases Breakthrough Plasma Technology at 2025 THECA Show
09/22/2025 | HengerThe 2025 Thailand Electronic Circuit Asia Exhibition (THECA Show) was successfully convened from August 20 to 22 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC). Zhuhai Henger Microelectronic Equipment Co., Ltd. delivered a particularly notable presentation at this exhibition, comprehensively demonstrating the company's latest advancements in the field of high-end plasma equipment.